Mumbai: No end in sight for Jogeshwari ROB as Metro gets in the way

The eastern arm of the Rs 50-crore Rail Over Bridge on the Western Express Highway — which has remained in limbo since 2009 because of the Andheri-Dahisar Metro — has finally got the green signal from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). However, there are still a few hurdles to clear. For one, the ROB arm will have to be raised 10 metres from the road so it can pass over the Metro and JVLR flyover. Secondly, the BMC is confused about where the eastern arm will culminate, since another Metro will pass in the same direction.

The Jogeshwari ROB was thrown open last year and it has been a major relief for motorists and commuters. However, the project remained incomplete because of various reasons

The completed portion of the Jogeshwari ROB was thrown open in September last year and it has been a major relief for motorists and commuters. However, the project remained incomplete because of various reasons. The cost of construction work on the eastern arm has now increased from Rs 198 crore in 2009 to Rs 300 crore.

MMRDA has also submitted the plan for its Metro line between Dahisar and Andheri, which will pass via WEH on the north-bound stretch, over the service road. The extended ROB arm of the Jogeshwari ROB, going in the eastern direction will pass over the proposed Metro line and the JVLR flyover on WEH.

Metropolitan Commissioner UPS Madan said, “Our department has submitted the alignment plan of the elevated Dahisar-Andheri Metro that will pass perpendicular to the Jogeshwari ROB near WEH. We have informed them about all the details, so that they accordingly can plan the extension and the height at which it will be taken.”

However, BMC chief engineer for roads and bridges, S Kori said, “The MMRDA has given us permission only to take over the ROB extension over the JVLR flyover. But, they have not given us a go-ahead for taking the bridge up to the signal at Poonam Nagar on JVLR as they are saying that they have plans of building a Metro line that will pass through the same place. As of now its difficult to comment [on the extension till Poonam Nagar].”

Sources from MMRDA said the decision regarding the permission for extending the bridge up to Poonam Nagar is not expected any time soon.

Not an easy taskThe construction of the ROB will not be an easy task, since its height will have to be 10 metres and it will have to first pass over the proposed Metro and then over the WEH-JVLR flyover. Considering the distance, the girder will also have to be wide enough. If that is not possible, then a made-to-order bridge will have to be made to pass over the WEH, similar to the Versova-Ghatkopar Metro passing near WEH at Andheri.

Heightened ROBsA portion of eastern freeway on the Panjarpol-Ghatkopar link road passes over at a height of 21.5 metres. The double-decker flyover on Santacruz Chembur Link Road passes over at a height of 9.5 metres.